Open-plan living and multiple entertaining areas make for a great family address

THE trend to open plan design appears here to stay and extensive living spaces are giving families plenty of choice, writes CHELSEA CLARK.

Chelsea Clark

Home MagazineAugust 14, 20146:11pm

THE trend to open plan living spaces appears here to stay.

Large spaces, often at the rear of the home and combining lounge, kitchen and dining rooms, are common in many modern designs as Australians move to at-home entertaining and a more casual style of dining.

This shared space also provides the perfect family gathering point, often around the kitchen island bench, for mum, dad and the kids to share news of their day.

Furthermore, the trend to a large open space at the rear of the home can help create a seamless flow to outdoor living spaces and aid in maximising the amount of natural light that is let into the home.

The Sheridan 34 has been designed to make the most of open-plan living without the problem of noise carrying. Picture: John FotiadisSource:News Corp Australia

Open plan kitchen, dining and living areas with the added luxury of additional living areas that provide seclusion. Picture: John FotiadisSource:News Limited

The Sheridan 34 gives families the best of both worlds without the need to choose between open-plan and compartmentalised. Picture: John FotiadisSource:News Limited

But this particular design style can create issues as it encourages noise to travel, as it may not be conducive to fans of home movie nights or families who also want a quieter, more formal living room option.

Clarendon’s clever Sheridan 34 design addresses this by combining the now-customary open-plan living, kitchen and dining space with three further living spaces including a home theatre, formal living room and an upstairs rumpus/leisure space.

This combination of living spaces gives families the best of both worlds and no need to choose between an open-plan design and a more compartmentalised, traditional floor plan.

The Sheridan 34 ... perfect for families who enjoy entertaining at home with lots of space. Picture: John FotiadisSource:News Limited

There won’t be any squabbling from siblings about what to watch in this home with three separate living areas. Picture: John FotiadisSource:News Limited

Additional living areas provide privacy and noise-free seclusion from the open-plan areas. Picture: John FotiadisSource:News Limited

This home is perfect for the larger family with several living and entertaining options within the one home. Picture: John FotiadisSource:News Limited

It’s also perfect for families who enjoy entertaining at home with lots of space — including an optional alfresco living area — to house guests.

The Sheridan 34 provides plenty of private space with five bedrooms upstairs plus a guest room downstairs that could also be used as a home study.

LIVING

Living

Right from the entry, a sense of space is created with the main hallway of the Sheridan 34 extending right through the home to the open-plan living and dining space at the rear.

A formal living room on the left is followed by the home theatre while on the right, a double garage backs on to the design’s staircase.

A living room perfect for mum and dad. Picture: John FotiadisSource:News Limited

There is plenty of private space with five bedrooms upstairs plus a guest room downstairs. Picture: John FotiadisSource:News Limited

A separate hallway on the right after the stairs leads to a powder room and a space that could be converted into a sixth bedroom for growing families, or used as a study to catch up on some private time and work from home away from the home’s main living spaces.

In the open-plan space, the kitchen sports a huge island bench creating a sense of unity at meal times and that perfect family meeting point.

A large walk-through pantry leads to the laundry which also has external access.

The rear of the house flows onto the optional alfresco area — fantastic for family meals in the garden or summertime entertaining.